Wrapping up Christmas

I am sure all of you had a wonderous time during Christmas, as I have. I worked half day on Christmas Eve and when we got home, me and Grace went to work cooking (Izabelle was trying to take a nap). We made cookies, cupcakes (all Christmas Shape), pie...which ended up not tasting good because I got the Sugar free filling instead, Yuck, and cheesy potatoes (Um). Although the some of the cookies got burnt, and the silicone cupcake pan did not do what I wanted it to do...We still had fun decorating them and eating the icing. So, when Matt got home I had him pack up the van, got the girls ready, and off we went to CELEBRATE Christmas with my family.
The Mattingly Christmas
We enjoyed a HUGE supper...each year it seems like we have to add more chairs, next year I think we are putting up a kid's table. I am so proud of my brother, he made a different kind of Cheesy Potatoes, so we decided, well I did to have a contest...I was a TIE!!! After supper, us girls cleaned up and the kids settled down to open stockings. Jason (my BIL) and I took a before and after picture of the tree. I will try to get pictures posted tomorrow. After the stockings came the PRESENTS. Grace was super excited that she got the boy that swam (Thanks Grant & Amanda), now her girl that swims won't be by herself when she swims. Izabelle wasn't really into opening presents, she kept wondering to see what others were doing. She got her first Cabbage Patch doll (Thanks Jason & Tina). My dad got Matt (and Jason) a Bench Saw and my mom got me and Tina boots, a shirt, and sweater.
After we thought that everything was opened, my mom and dad said "There is more"...What??? You would think that we would be expecting a "surprise" gift, because they do this every year. Well, upstairs the guys brought down 4 wooden toy chest for the 4 grandkids. A guy from my dad's work, made them and they are Beautiful, something that the kids will have for a very long time. Thank Mom & Dad.
Another surprise gift was to Amanda from Grant, and no it's not what you think...It was a 32" flat screen HD TV...She was so excited and surprised. He also gave her something else later that night that was super sweet...My brother the ROMANTIC:)
After the aftermath of opening presents and playing with our new things, we set off to the homestead, we had to get up bright and early to open what Santa brought.
Once the girls woke up, we let them open their gifts (from us, I mean Santa). Grace got her Cupcake Maker and Izabelle got a game that had a ball that looked and sounded like a cow, with milk jugs to knock down (Moo Cow bowling). Then it was off to Memaw and Papaw's.
The Gingerich Christmas
We ate breakfast (biscuits and gravy, cinnamon bites, YUMMY) with Matt's family, which we do each year. I think Matt and Rob were having a contest because they had about 2 or 3 plates full biscuits and gravy...I think Rob WON! They were both stuffed. After breakfast, we took some pictures on the girls before opening presents. Grace got a Leapster 2, which she hasn't put down since (well I guess she has since it ran out of batteries), Izabelle once again wasn't interested in opening presents, so Mommy opened them and she got a cute little doll that talked and you could move her arms and legs which matched Brynnlee's because those two girls love to want what the other has, so now they have matching dolls. They enjoyed everything that they received. Jake got Matt a Tool Box which Matt has wanted one FOREVER. Patty got me some cookingware, Cook book (I am seeing a pattern here, is this a hint?). And a tile that says "Dancing is the Language of the Soul"...I love it and some other surprises. The girls got their Memaw some AWESOME PJs, they are so soft. They got Papaw a nice sweater for him to wear.
After everything was opened, we loaded the truck up and headed home to get ready for lunch back at Memaw and Papaw's. We had lunch with them and visited with Matt's grandparents, Joe, Dave, and his sisters. Which is nice to be relaxed and be able to stay a little longer since we didn't have another place to go that afternoon. Which gave Grace a chance to play her Leapster and Izabelle and Brynnlee to play.
Once our bellies were full, we headed home for a MUCH needed nap.
The rest of the day into the evening we were busy opening packages to get the toys out for the girls to play with...Which is a PAIN??? Why do they have to have so many twisty thingys and tape on them. I think we have opened everything up, so on Sunday were putting everything up and organizing their rooms for them to fit.

Besides opening presents and visting everyone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we are just amazed how many people are in our lives that love us unconditionally...We are Thankful for them and Praise God for all that he has blessed us with.

I will try to get pictures up tomorrow of the Christmas Celebrations.

Until then...

God Bless...

P.S. Welcome to the World Pierce Andrew he arrived this past Friday by mommy Abby from The Yoder Clan. CONGRATS Abby, Kevin, and Big Sis Lillie and Big Brother Karson.
Another Welcome to the World is Ella Nyah she arrived this past Saturday by mommy Mandi from Loving Life. CONGRATS to Mandi, Andre, and Big Brother Gabe.